MHACA organised a successful Suicide Prevention Forum at the Alice Springs Desert Park 1-2 June.
The aim of the forum was to connect people, share the learnings from local programs that are working on addressing suicide, and have some good collective discussions that support reducing suicides in our community. 67 people attended on the first day, and 76 attended on the second.
On Wednesday 1 June Kumalie Riley provided a Welcome to Country and attendees heard from a wide range of organisations and programs including Akeyulerre Healing Centre, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, headspace Alice Springs, NPY Women’s Council Uti Kulintjaku Program, Arrernte Community Boxing Academy, Thirrili – Indigenous Suicide Postvention Service and MacYouth.
On the second day there were presentations by Royal Flying Doctor Service SA/NT, Tangentyere Men’s Family Safety Group, Lifeline Central Australia, 13 Yarn, Northern Territory PHN, NT Health Suicide Prevention Coordinator, R U OK Day Stronger Together and the Central Desert Regional Council who shared their work of their Community Safety Program.
Participants discussed what is working well in suicide prevention and what the challenges are, and workshopped ideas on how we can work better together. There was some great networking and connections made.
The Suicide Prevention Forum was organised by MHACA and supported by Wesley LifeForce and the Northern Territory Government Department of Health.
